General practitioner referral guidelines for dermatology: do they improve the quality of referrals?

Guidelines have proliferated in recent years in all areas of medicine, sometimes with little evaluation of their effect. Referral guidelines for dermatology were compiled by the dermatologist at the Royal Surrey County Hospital in consultation with local general practitioners. An audit was undertaken to assess how appropriate referrals were just before and after distribution of the guidelines and was repeated 2 years later to determine whether they had made any significant impact. The results revealed a 40% increase in the number of appropriate referrals immediately after introduction of the guidelines, but this was not sustained 2 years later. Five common conditions accounted for two-thirds of inappropriate referrals before and after the guidelines were sent. The need for continued general practitioner education in dermatology to reinforce referral guidelines is demonstrated.